31. Sir Robert Younģasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under the Government Evacuation Scheme, certain premises in Abergele, with their contents, were taken over by the clerk of the local. Urban District Council, without any agreement having been reached with the owners of the premises with regard to their value and the value of hard and soft furnishings; who is the determining authority for settling the price to be paid in such disagreements; and whether there is arty appeal from the district valuer's decision.
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir. Compensation in respect of requisitioned premises and chattels is payable in accordance with the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) 379 Act, 1939, and is not a matter of prior agreement with the owner. The Act provides that any dispute as to the amount of the compensation payable shall be referred, in default of agreement, to the General Claims Tribunal for determination.
Sir R. YounģCan the Minister say whether the proprietor of a bungalow such as this would be allowed to dispense with his goods and chattels before the bungalow was taken over; and will he also say how the owner could pay rates, taxes, fire insurance and ground rent out of the 6s. 7d. a week offered to him for his property?
§ Mr. WillinkI do not know whether the sum offered is fair and proper, but as regards the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary this was a case arising out of the very large evacuation in the latter part of last summer, when both chattels and property were requisitioned.
32. Sir R. Younģasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the owner of "Greyome," Gaine Bach, Towyn, Abergele, has received a notice forbidding him to visit his property or to make any inspection thereof; and, seeing that the owner complains that his property and its contents have been seriously mishandled by the evacuees lodged therein, will he explain the reasons for this prohibition and state who is ultimately responsible for the replacement of damaged furnishings and the repair of the bungalow.
§ Mr. WillinkNo, Sir, but where possession of land is taken by a competent authority under Regulation 51 of the Defence (General) Regulations, the owner or any other person has to obtain the permission of that authority before he may enter upon the land. When the property is derequisitioned, the owner is entitled to make a claim under Section 2 (1 b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, in respect of any damage—other than fair wear and tear and war damage—which may have occurred during the period for which the land has been retained under requisition. Where chattels are requisitioned the owner is entitled to claim compensation in respect thereof, as provided by Section 6 of the Act.
Sir R. YounģWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why individuals 380 have not the information which he has just given to me? It would save a great deal of trouble.
§ Mr. WillinkI think any individual can get information on a point of this kind from the local authority which, in this case, showed considerable consideration because they did, for a considerable period, waive the requirement of previous permission to use part of the requisitioned property.